CompuServe Messages

Joe We just got back from a visit to Carlsbad Caverns two weeks ago. In addition to points already mentioned, a couple of things the rangers emphasized. Carry in water to drink, it can be hard work, and bring three INDEPEDANT light sources (matches, candle, flashlite etc). Ranger told an interesting story about a photographer who had hiked into the cavern with an assistant and a substantial quantity of photo equipment for a morning session shooting the formations. btw the cave was "developed" and had been wired with electric light by this time. They had made it to the area of formations and were just finished setting the cameras up when the generator at the surface failed. Blink! No light. I think the ranger said it took them until evening (several hours anyway) to hike the mile or so out using a nearly full box of matches the assistant just _happened_ to have along. Each lit a match and held it while the other used the light to hike forward until it burned out. They leapfrogged along and made it to safety with many matches left, but whew! -Russ